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ASCLA Forum offers tour of prison library at Annual Conference

ASCLA will offer a unique opportunity to gain insider access to a prison library thanks to the Library Services to Prisoners Forum (LSPF), a special interest group within ASCLA.

“Have YOU Ever Been to Prison? An Insider’s Look at a Prison Library” is an off-site professional development program that will be held Monday, June 28, 2010 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in conjunction with the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The tour is open to all conference participants, and would be of interest to anyone considering a career in correctional librarianship, current correctional library staff, and public library staff who provide outreach services to jails and other detention facilities.

Participants will be transported from the Washington Convention Center to the Jessup Correctional Institution Library in Maryland, where they will have an opportunity to both see the facility and discuss current correctional library events and issues with leaders in the field. Speakers include Glennor Shirley, Maryland Correctional Libraries coordinator; Diane Walden, correctional libraries senior consultant, Colorado State Library, and chair of LSPF; and Erica MacCreaigh, correctional libraries senior consultant, Colorado State Library, and co-author of “Library Services to the Incarcerated.”

Space at the event is limited, and RSVP’s are required by June 3, 2010. Participants will be required to provide the following information for a background check in order to receive the security clearance required for prison entry: full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number and license state of issue. RSVP’s that include this information may be sent to Diane Walden at diane.walden@doc.state.co.us, or provided to her by phone (719-269-5607). Participants will cover the cost of transportation to the facility, which is estimated at $20 per person.

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ASCLA releases guide to division programming and events at Annual

ASCLA has released a comprehensive guide for the division’s activities at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference, including preconferences, programs, discussion groups and special events.

The guide, which is now available for download, includes information about two workshops hosted by ASCLA from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 25 in Washington, D.C. “Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond” features a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. Attendees will examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information. The sell-out workshop “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant” is also scheduled and offers a chance to prepare for library consulting success with this full-day workshop. Seasoned consultants Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of the consultant’s role and guide you through a self-assessment to uncover your consulting potential. Participants will work together to identify consulting opportunities and how to align them with their experience and skills. Each of these events requires advance ticket purchases; participants may register for preconferences without registering for the entire ALA conference. Registration instructions can be found in this ASCLA blog entry.

The guide also lists ASCLA’s 2010 programs and discussion groups, which cover topics relevant to all types of libraries. Highlighting this year’s programs is a joint President’s Program sponsored by ASCLA, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Library Leadership, Administration and Management Association (LLAMA): “Capitalizing on Crisis: Leading Libraries in the Post-Recession Era.” Other programs slated for 2010 will cover topics such as revenue generation for networks, cooperatives and consortia; innovative services for incarcerated populations and ex-offenders; and transforming library workplace cultures. ASCLA’s discussion groups provide an opportunity for colleagues to gather and discuss hot topics and ongoing professional challenges. They also offer a forum for collaborative problem-solving. Discussion group topics include collaborative digitization, library consulting, physical delivery, virtual libraries, youth consulting and LSTA coordination—a complete listing is available in the guide.

Download the guide now from the ASCLA Web site, or learn more about the ALA Annual Conference at the conference Web site. Interested participants are encouraged to register before Advance Registration closes on May 14 and event prices increase.

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How do I register for preconferences and ticketed events at Annual 2010?

Annual Conference is a fun and exciting event, but we know it’s not for everyone, their budget or their schedules. Did you know, though, that you can register for ASCLA’s preconferences without registering for the entire Annual Conference?

We welcome any non-conference participants to these events, which will be held in Washington, D.C. as a part of ALA’s 2010 Annual Conference.

ASCLA’s 2010 ticketed events include:

Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond, Friday, June 25, 9a.m.-5p.m. Join us for a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. We’ll examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information.

Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant, Friday, June 25, 9a.m.-5p.m. Considering consulting as your next career? Prepare yourself for library consulting success with this full-day workshop. Seasoned consultants Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of the consultant’s role and guide you through a self-assessment to uncover your consulting potential. Participants will work together to identify consulting opportunities and how to align them with their experience and skills. Takeaways include marketing tips, pricing your services and business management strategies.

Here are step-by-step instructions for the online form:

  • ACCESS THE ONLINE FORM. You will need to login–this will be your ALA website login. If you don’t have a login, follow the steps for creating a profile.
  • Complete the requests for profile information and badge information.
  • Under “Step 4: Registration Type”, select “SO Preconference and Special Events” if you are registering only for preconferences. *If you’d like to register for conference, select the registration that is most appropriate for you.
  • Add any guests who will be attending the event with you under “Step 5: Guest,” and complete the demographic info under Step 6.
  • Under “Step 7: Your Events” you will find a list of all events at conference that require a ticket purchase. Scroll down to ASCLA’s events to find our preconferences.
  • Select your desired event(s), then proceed through to payment.

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If you’d prefer to register via mail or fax, then download the printed registration form, and use the event codes listed above to register. Click on the linked event names above to get more info about the ticket prices for your membership type, event speakers and more.

REMEMBER! Advance registration ends May 14, and registration for all ASCLA events will close one week prior to the event.

Contact the ASCLA office with questions at ascla@ala.org.

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ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair @ Annual – Application Deadline Approaching

The deadline for the 2010 Diversity and Outreach Fair is rapidly approaching. This popular event will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 16.

Sponsored generously by DEMCO and coordinated by the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, the Diversity and Outreach Fair provides an opportunity for libraries and member groups to share their successful diversity and outreach initiatives with ALA Annual Conference attendees.  The Fair celebrates examples of diversity in American libraries and demonstrates possibilities for libraries seeking “diversity in action” ideas.  Selected applicants will have the opportunity to present posters and converse with conference attendees about their diversity initiatives.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities act, this year’s fair will celebrate accessible library services for all patrons and highlight innovative services to underserved communities. Additional available topics include services to underserved or underrepresented communities and mobile library services.

For more information, and to apply, please visit www.ala.org/divfair.

Questions about the Diversity and Outreach Fair? Contact John Amundsen, OLOS Communications Specialist, at 312.280.2140, or email jamundsen@ala.org.

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National Bookmobile Day online toolkit now available

From our friends in the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.

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The American Library Association (ALA) has launched a Web page with resources and tools to help libraries celebrate the inaugural National Bookmobile Day, Wednesday April 14, 2010, during National Library Week.

The page, www.ala.org/bookmobiles, features sample publicity materials, including a press release, letter-to-the-editor and proclamations for library staff and supporters to use in their communities. Also included on the page are downloadable National Bookmobile Day logos, bookmark templates, a customizable flyer and links to National Bookmobile Day on social networking sites.

In addition, the toolkit also has links to the National Bookmobile Day community in ALA Connect, where librarians can collaborate and share ideas on promoting the event. Participating libraries can share ideas and stories on how they celebrate the contribution of bookmobiles and direct-delivery outreach.

Part of National Library Week, National Bookmobile Day is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), the Association for Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).

For more information on National Bookmobile Day, please contact John Amundsen, Communications Specialist, ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, at (312) 280-2140, or e-mail jamundsen@ala.org.

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Consulting Toolkit workshop from ASCLA offered again at Annual Conference

The wildly successful workshop “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant”, which sold out at the 2010 Midwinter Meeting, will be offered again at the 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Assembling a Consulting Toolkit” is a full-day preconference offered by ASCLA, a division of ALA. It’s the perfect event for librarians looking to strike out on their own in the library profession or those library professionals approaching retirement and seeking a flexible way to maintain employment. The summer workshop will be held 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, Jun. 25, at one of the ALA conference hotels and is designed to prepare participants to begin – or advance – a successful consulting career.

Seasoned consultants and ASCLA members Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of library consulting for attendees, who will discover through  self-assessment their personal consulting potential.  Participants will work together in an active and engaging format to explore different roles that consultants play, services consultants may deliver to clients, marketing consulting services, managing a consulting business and finding clients.

Interested participants can register for this event only (event code ASC2), or can register in conjunction with Annual Conference registration by adding it as a ticketed event. For institute-only registration using the online form, select “Institute and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type and proceed to select this event from the list. Advance registration ends May 14, 2010. Advance registration prices for this event start at $185 for ASCLA members. On-site registration starts at $215 for ASCLA members and will be available online until Sunday, June 20. All interested participants must register by June 20—there will not be seats available at the door on the day of the event.

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Save the Date: June 29, 2010 is Library Advocacy Day!

When making your travel plans for the 2010 Annual Conference, be sure to stay long enough to participate in Library Advocacy Day! Keep an eye on the ALA Washington Office page for more information in coming months; basic details are below.

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For one year only, Library Advocacy Day will replace National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). On June 29, 2010, library advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will meet at Upper Senate Park on the U.S. Capitol grounds. The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., will feature guest speakers, photo ops, and a chance to cheer on libraries! After the rally, participants will meet with their elected officials and their staffs.

Your NLLD coordinator will be running point for your state, so please get in touch with them if you plan to attend. To find out whom your NLLD coordinator is, please click here.

The states with the most people will be featured front and center, which means they are the ones that will be in the majority of pictures. Make sure your state is the most represented so your group can be in the most pictures!

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ASCLA Discussion Groups at Midwinter: downloadable brochure

Learn everything you need to know about ASCLA discussion groups at Midwinter–download this handy brochure and take it with you to Boston. Groups are open to anyone interested in the topics, and are a great way to meet others and collaborate to solve common professional challenges.

This snappy and informative one-page brochure also talks about ASCLA membership–who we are, our annual activities and the benefits of joining this amazing group of professionals.

Do you see yourself in ASCLA? If you belong with us, click over to www.ala.org/membership to join! Annual membership dues are just $40. Reach our membership and customer service team at 800-545-2433 to join by phone.

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Midwinter workshop registration closes Friday, Jan. 8!

Hard to believe it, but Midwinter is upon us, and registration closes tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 8, for RUSA’s genealogy institute and ASCLA’s universal design workshop, which both still have seats available.

Visit www.ala.org/midwinter to sign up now. Links below will take you to blog entries with more information about the events. You do not have to register for Midwinter in order to participate in these workshops–come for the day, stay for the learning, leave with valuable knowledge!

(The popular ASCLA consulting workshop is sold out, and will be offered again at the Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.—registration is open now at www.ala.org/annual.)

ASCLA: “Breaking Down Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries”
What it covers: How to create a library that is not only physically accessible to all library patrons, but also takes into account accessible communication and information tools available to libraries. Best practices, advice for your library’s specific accessibility challenge and how to account for accessibility in strategic and long-range planning will be discussed.
Who should attend: Library leaders, library friends and any librarians or staff from all types of libraries looking to improve the accessibility their library in both the short and long term.
Details: Friday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Institute for Human-Centered Design, 200 Portland Street, Suite 1, Boston.
Registration: $185 until Jan. 8.
More info at: http://ascla.ala.org/blog/2009/10/universaldesign-mw2010/

RUSA: “The Genealogy Reference Desk: Where Everyone Knows Your Name”
What it covers: Core genealogy reference skills, as well as resources unique to the New England area
Who should attend: Reference desk staff at all types of libraries looking to better serve patrons as well as those with family roots in New England interested in researching their own heritage.
Details: Friday, Jan. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, 99 Newbury Street, Boston.
Registration: Starting at $125 for RUSA members until Jan. 8.
More info at: http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2009/10/09/mw10-genealogyinst1/

Register for all of these events by visiting www.ala.org/midwinter. Midwinter Meeting registration is NOT required in order to participate in these workshops.

We appreciate any reposting, retweeting or forwarding of this blog post!

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Kick off privacy week at Midwinter with ALA OIF

Here’s some information about an exciting upcoming event from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Visit their website at www.ala.org/oif

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OIF invites you to help launch ALA’s new privacy initiative, Choose Privacy Week, at a fun and exciting event featuring social critic Hal Niedzviecki, author of The Peep Diaries: How We’re Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbors (City Lights Books, 2009).

This event will take place during the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting from 4 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, in Room 252 A/B of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and will offer snacks and beverages for attendees. ALA President Camila Alire will be in attendance to welcome Niedzviecki and to introduce ALA’s first-ever Choose Privacy Week.

Read the entire OIF blog post about this event.